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Sonos today released several enhancements to its Linux-powered streaming audio player devices. The new capabilities, all delivered via free apps and software upgrades, include the first Android app for remote control of Sonos gear, new support for Apple AirPlay audio sources, and the introduction of iOS 4 multitasking capabilities into the remote control apps.
One interesting feature of Sonos’s new Android app is the ability to use voice commands for searching music artists, albums, or tracks. Also, the app makes use of the Android smartphone’s physical volume up/down buttons for sound level control, and provides true multitasking capabilities. This capability is not permitted by Apple on its devices, Sonos points out.

Here are three screenshots showing the new Android remote control app:

Android smartphones are now Sonos remote controls
(click each image to enlarge)

Also today, Sonos is releasing free updates to its remote control apps that run on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, along with a free update to the firmware that resides within the Sonos media-streaming players. Key new features and functions resulting from this suite of software updates are summarized below.

Fast app switching:

All Sonos remote control apps will now support Apple’s iOS 4 “fast app switching” (aka multitasking) capabilities. Not all iOS 4 devices support this feature, however.

Additionally, in contrast to Apple’s one-location AirPlay support, a Sonos setup with multiple ZonePlayers can stream AirPlay audio to “all the rooms in a home with perfect synchronization,” says Sonos CEO/founder John MacFarlane.